Jerrance Howard is New Illini Assistant

[tornado]

http://www.news-gazette.com/blogs/basketblog/2007/09/19/jerrance_howard_to_join_bruce_webers

[BU1999]

Howard could hardly recruit Peoria let alone Chicago, he is all but unknown there.
This is not going to make most Illini fans happy.

[brainiac]

The Illinois fans I know are split, half seem to like Jerrance and half wanted someone with strong ties to Chicago.
The word used a lot is underwhelming.

[tornado]

Here are other articles

http://fightingillini.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/091907aab.html

http://illinois.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=716407

http://illinois.scout.com/2/681540.html

and the article from Kentucky

http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070919/SPORTS03/70919048

[jimbob]

Definitely the better of this trade goes to UK.
They get the TOP Illini assistant and a recruit that Webster was after.
Illinois gets an administrative assistant under Billy Gillispie who had no actual coaching duties.
Kind of like giving up ARod and getting a minor leaguer.

[houstontxbrave]

U of I had an opportunity to make a huge splash with this hire, instead they went and made a dribble in a puddle of water.

They needed a strong tied guy to Chicago and specifically the Public league.

[BradleyBrave]

Definitely the better of this trade goes to UK.
They get the TOP Illini assistant and a recruit that Webster was after.
Illinois gets an administrative assistant under Billy Gillispie who had no actual coaching duties.
Kind of like giving up ARod and getting a minor leaguer.

Tracy Webster was A-Rod? Please! How many big-time recruits did he help get to Champaign? Try ZERO. While the hire is uninspiring, I think the consensus is that this is a sinking ship. That's not going to garner the best of candidates.

[chitownBUB]

http://www.pjstar.com/php/index.php?/news/champaign_howard_named_illini_basketball_assistant/

[numbr_9]

I had the pleasure of getting to know Jerrance one summer, and he is really as nice a guy as you could ever meet.

Congratulations, Jerrance. i wish you nothing but the best.

[bert notorius]

Bruce Weber is a terrible judge of talent- that Chris Lowery turned out to be quite a stud...and Matt Painter is a hack... (insert sarcastic emoticon). Apparently BAM went with youthful exuberance over smoke-filled-back-room connected. Ever heard of Larry Butler?

[bert notorius]

U of I had an opportunity to make a huge splash with this hire, instead they went and made a dribble in a puddle of water.

They needed a strong tied guy to Chicago and specifically the Public league.

I respectfully disagree. Furthermore, I am not sure that person exists. It would be like searching for that one guy to unify IRAQ. No matter who you choose, the other fiefdoms immediately cry jihad. I pity any program who's fate rests in the hands of an assistant coach...

[BradleyBrave]

I respectfully disagree. Furthermore, I am not sure that person exists. It would be like searching for that one guy to unify IRAQ. No matter who you choose, the other fiefdoms immediately cry jihad. I pity any program who's fate rests in the hands of an assistant coach...

Agreed. I still can't get over the person who equated Tracy Webster to A-Rod.

[jimbob]

I didn't equate Webster with ARod, I equated the difference between Webster and Howard as being as broad as the difference between ARod and a minor leaguer.

[lefty]

While I don't think it's a fantastic hire I don't see anything that Webster did as really significant. I think Howard will do better than TW...I'm just not sure it will be enough to make huge impact

[MacabreMob]

... I think the consensus is that this is a sinking ship...

I hope it doesn't sink too quickly. Maybe this'l help patch a couple of the leaks with a lil duct tape so they can tread water for a while, then maybe sink slowly over the next 10-12 years or so.